Dual numerical keyboard based on dominance

ABSTRACT

There is a need to develop a more sophisticated and educational system of keyboard set ups for not only the disabled population from their worker&#39;s compensation injuries but for the entire continuum of keyboard users nationally and internationally. This is due to the rising medical costs associated but also for the days out of work as the Bureau of Labor Statistics report for upper extremity sprains and strains and more importantly, carpal tunnel syndrome. Design companies are making ergonomic changes in the mouse, keyboard design but not until now has a long term solution been invented. Smart businesses are not waiting for regulation or lawsuits to prompt action geared to preventing such repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The dual system of keyboard/keypad, mouse or calculator set ups after training will have a decided impact on the reduction of computer related work force injuries or to provide dexterity training for other people with disabilities.

INTRODUCTION

This patent addresses the development of a more scientific and educational system of computer keyboard/keypad set ups for not only the disabled population from their worker's compensation injuries but for the entire continuum of keyboard/keypad users nationally and internationally. Hand, fmger, wrists, upper arms and shoulders are “wearing out” due to the overloaded right side of the computer keyboard/numerical keypad and office machine calculator. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data “reveal the extraordinary (9×) increase of work related cumulative trauma disorders reported in the United States from 1981 to 1991 ”. This is due to the rising medical costs associated but also for the days out of work as the Bureau of Labor Statistics report for upper extremity sprains and strains and more importantly, carpal tunnel syndrome. This invention with patent and copyright will have a dramatic ergonomic impact on computer and keypad users. The demand for rapid alphabet data and numerical data entry into computers by workers has been the driving factor behind the multitude of computer and software improvements. Following dexterity training of the left hand for numerical data entry and set up of a numerical keypad (already found on standard keyboards) on both right hand side and left hand side, the worker will be able to alternate the use of the hands, thereby decreasing the keystrokes of the right hand with a dual keypad system. Following the device selection method comprising an explanation of coordination, testing to determine hand dominance with finger directionality, then selection of the individual's numerical data input device, calculator, or pointing device (mouse) , then training of the left hand in a 14 step process. The owner of this application is Charlene H. Grafton, a resident of Niceville, Fla., USA.

Excerpts from the book, When Left is Right: Keyboarding for Success LEARNING TO USE A NUMERIC KEYPAD DEVICE WITH YOUR NON DOMINANT HAND requires a regular computer keyboard and mouse with a programmable or non programmable numerical keypad device for the left hand side, comparable to the right hand side. The office machine calculator would be a stand alone device. The mouse or pointing device would have a right or left index finger clicker.

Your objective in this training is to assist you in learning how to use the numeric or other device with the left hand. For some of you this will be your non dominant hand, if you are right handed. For those of you who are left handed or mixed handed, this will be your dominant hand. This is dexterity training.

The prior special preparation for this training is computer keyboard and keypad training using the right hand side computer and keypad; the standard computer keyboard. Use a keypad hub which will allow you to do all your calculations from the keypad. There are 10, 17, 19 and 22 key types of input devices at this time. Review the types that are available and most suited for your computer and keyboard.

There are important facts you need to know to understand how the anatomy and physiology of your hands, fingers and brain organization allow you to think and do the skills necessary to learn numerical data input. Hand and finger movements have limited coordinated movements they can make. If you have been typing and completing data entry for a long time with the right hand, this will be old learning. Frequently old learning will interfere with new learning. The purpose of this dexterity training is to help you with the interference within your brain organization and prior learning experiences.

Dual Numerical Keyboard Based on Dominance

This utility patent application is an ergonomic dual numerical keypad (right and left side ). The invention is directed to a hand dominated computer keyboard and keypad with a numerical keypad input device, mouse or office machine (calculator) with a number location based on dominance. The method used is 1/ coordination explanation 2/ determine your handedness through completion of the Grafton Handedness Inventory 3/ completion of the index finger circling and handwriting test 4/a/determine left to right or right to left direction of the numbers for the keypad selection or b/ in the case of the pointing device/mouse use, the right hand or left hand clicker for the left hand, or c/in the case of stand alone calculators, whether to use a mirror image calculator for the left hand with right to left numbers locations. 5/ Completing the training and education module of the left hand. 6/Alternating use of the dual keypads to relieve the overuse of the right hand in your work tasks.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The National IP Rights Center, Scott Fields, Attorney, 4/12/04, completed the patent search using the ICO search system re: Hand Dominant Keyboard search. Prior to submission of this application in Mar. 2005, Nevin Shaffer, Patent Attorney in Gulf Breeze, Fla. reviewed a draft of the application and defined what I could claim based on the search and opinion by Scott Fields and the research from the book When Left is Right: Keyboarding for Success.

No. 2003/00 16985-The Ergonomic and Efficient Keyboard relates to keyboards, most specifically, an integrated ergonomic keyboard which utilizes a pleurality of keys in the form of characters, words and special commands to form a Multi-Dexterous Keyboard (MDK) system. A special partition of the keyboard provides numerous ergonomic arrangements with simultaneous use as either a Left-Hand-Side (LHS) or Right-Hand-Side computer keyboard module. By decreasing keystroke activity reduces Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) in applications.

No. 2002/0015609-This patent is directed towards an electronic keyboard having an improved ergonomic design for use with computers and other alphanumeric input electronic devices. Repetitive motion stress on a typist's hands, wrists and fingers is substantially reduced by relocating and centering the enter and backspace keys. The numeric keypad is provided as an “underlay” to the right-hand portion of the alphanumeric keyboard, thereby producing a very compact keyboard with fiul numeric keypad editing functionality.

No. D316542- The computer keyboard outlines an ornamental design difference.

No. D338665- This Computer Keyboard is an ornamental design with keys in separated positions.

No. D345152- The Ergonomic Computer Keyboard described as an ornamental design.

No. 5339097- The Computer Keyboard is used with the hands of a user disposed in a prehensile position with the thumb opposed to the fingers in a grasping position using a slanted keyboard. A keypad for locating numeric keys is positioned toward an outward end of the second keyboard surface.

No. D4496 11- This patent describes a one hand computer keyboard

No. 6682235- This patent and invention are directed to a computer keyboard having user-manipulatable components for multi-media applications.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC

CDs enclosed, Copy 1 and Copy 2 with Directory Listing of ASCII files And Non ASCII files DIRECTORY LISTING FOR CD WHEN LEFT IS RIGHT: KEYBOARDING TO SUCCESS Created Modified Size FOREWARD - 8/27/04 5/20/05 24.5 KB INTRODUCTION 1-4 8/27/04 4/4/05 39.5 KB CHAPTER ONE 8/27/04 4/4/05 39.5 KB FACTORS TO CONSIDER 5-9 CHAPTER TWO 8/27/04 3/14/05 50.0 KB ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS 10-17 CHAPTER THREE 8/27/04 3/1/05 48. KB CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME 18-25 AND OTHER MUSCLE AND TENDON DISORDERS CHAPTER FOUR 8/27/04 4/2/05 44.5 KB BACKGROUND RESEARCH 26-31 CHAPTER FIVE 8/27/04 4/8/05 42. KB ANATOMY 32-36 CHAPTER SIX 3/17/05 5/20/05 29. KB PHYSIOLOGY 37-38 CHAPTER SEVEN 8/27/04 4/4/05 51. KB BRAIN ORGANIZATION 39-46 CHAPTER EIGHT 8/27/04 2/28/05 35. KB HAND AND FINGER MOVEMENTS 47-49 CHAPTER NINE 8/27/05 3/17/05 32. KB EMERGING SOLUTIONS 50-51 CHAPTER TEN 8/27/04 4/8/05 40.5 KB LEARNING TO USE A NUMERIC KEYPAD DEVICE WITH YOUR NON DOMINANT HAND CHAPTER ELEVEN 52-56 8/27/04 2/28/05 43.5 KB STEPS TO LEARNING 57-63 CHAPTER TWELVE 8/27/04 2/28/05 30.5 KB MUSICIANS AND TYPISTS 64-65 CHAPTER THIRTEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 29.5 KB TACTILE OBJECT DISCRIMINATION 66-67 CHAPTER FOURTEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 36. KB MOTOR DOMINANCE 68-70 CHAPTER FIFTEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 29.5 KB CIRCLING TASKS 71-72 CHAPTER SIXTEEN 8/27/04 4/3/05 31. KB GENDER 73-74 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 30. KB PERFORMANCE 75-76 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 32. KB INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 77-79 CHAPTER NINETEEN 8/27/04 2/28/05 31.5 KB EDUCATION 80-81 CHAPTER TWENTY 8/27/04 4/4/05 31.5 KB OLD LEARNING AND NEW LEARNING 82-83 CHAPTER TWENTY ONE 8/27/04 2/28/05 27.5 KB LEFT TO RIGHT DIRECTIONALITY 84 CHAPTER TWENTY TWO 8/27/04 3/3/05 29.5 KB SIMILAR STUDIES 85 CHAPTER TWENTY THREE 8/27/04 2/28/05 32.5 KB MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS 86-87 CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR 8/27/04 4/4/05 37 KB INVENTIONS AND IDEAS 88-91 CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE 8/27/04 3/3/05 45. KB INJURY PREVENTION MEASURES 92-96 CHAPTER TWENTY SIX 8/27/04 4/4/05 43.5 KB WHEN LEFT IS RIGHT  97-102 AUTHORS NOTE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 8/27/04 4/8/05 79. KB MOUSE AND NUMERICAL DATA TRAINING 3/17/05 5/18/05 102.5 KB

Non ACSII Files Created 3/2/05 No. Size Title Modified 5/23/05 001 129 KB Repetitive Motion Disorder 002 208 KB CTS Statistics 003 208 KB page 2 004 229 KB Page 3 005 202 KB Checklist for Work Station 006 174 KB page 2 007 230 KB page 3 008 164 KB Page 4 009 210 KB Page 5 010 228 KB Page 6 011 224 KB Page 7 012 174 KB Page 8 013 330 KB Workstation OSHA 014 226 KB page 2 015 219 KB page 3 016 241 KB page 4 017 156 KB page 5 018 263 KB Days Away From Work 019 268 KB page 2 020 166 KB Book Terms Numerical Data Trng 3/17/05 created 021 118 KB page 2 Modified 5/7/05 1.34 MB 022 171 KB Hand Anatomy Mouse Trng 3/17/05 created 023 212 KB Facts Working Modified 5/23/05 993 KB Women

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Copyrighted Jul. 31, 2002. Provisional patent applied May 17, 2004.

Excerpts from the book When Left is Right: Keyboarding to Success

“Regardless of type of numerical input device, alternating activity between the right hand and left hand will reduce the load on the right hand during tasks using the usual computer and numerical keypad or the computer with a stand alone numerical input device.

Research categories reviewed in this section of the book are anatomy and physiology, brain organization, hand and finger movements, musicians, tactile objects (touch) discrimination, motor dominance, circling tasks, gender, performance, individual differences, old learning and new learning, training and education, left to right directionality, similar studies, musculoskeletal disorders and injury prevention Finally, a summary of expectations and recommendations for learning how to use the numeric keypad with your non preferred hand from the device selection process.

Three/fifths of all occupational injuries can be attributed to various debilitating hand and wrist disorders according to the The John Marshall Journal of Computer and Information Law. “Without reliable medical or scientific evidence showing a relationship between use and injury, the question arises, is it necessary for computer manufacturers to begin placing warnings on their keyboards which urge users to pay more attention to safety and comfort?”

According to OSHA in their eTool website, “alternative left hand keyboards which have the keypad permanently affixed to the left side of the keyboard are available as are keyboards with a detached keypad. These allow the user to switch positions for either left or right hand use.”Also “programmable stand alone keypads are available which can be programmed to facilitate either right or left hand usage” as possible solutions. But “this arrangement can be limiting to the left handed workers or right handed workers who are recovering from injury and are attempting to remain functional during recovery.”

Ainsworth at www.gwerty.com has a patent describing his development of two-handed input systems and his approach to eliminate carpal tunnel and other RSI problems. But this does not mention any interference in the neural network of the fingers in his Ainsworth Keypad Trainer software program. Ainsworth states you can use either hand for the same device just by positioning the keyboard with keypad. But this does not account for our USA culture for reading sequentially left to right and then transposing that old learning to new learning of the non preferred hand. Due to human factors and brain organization this sequential learning for the non preferred hand will either be parallel sequencing or mirror image sequencing based upon the person's dominance.

Springer and Deutsch in their book Left Brain/Right Brain, (two psychologists) state each hemisphere appears to be approximately a mirror image of the other, very much in keeping with the general left right symmetry of the human body. Their theory of control of the body's basic movements and sensations are evenly divided between the two cerebral hemispheres. But they agree that by examining the abilities of our two hands are not equivalent in all respects. Most people have a dominant hand but few people are truly ambidexterous.

Porac and Coren (1975) asked is eye dominance a part of generalized laterality? Handedness has been the most extensively studied aspect of lateral dominance according to these researchers. “Control of the limbs is basically a finction of the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. This may indicate some sort of general cerebral dominance.” These researchers summarized their findings and confirm that better consistency is found for right eye dominants than left. In addition, sex differences emerge indicating more consistent eye and limb preferences as well as stronger eye dominance scores in male subjects. This probably culturally conditioned with increased assertiveness in women the male/female difference should decrease.

Researchers agree there are undoubtedly differences in cerebral lateralization and other features of brain organization which correlate with hand preference and proficiency as a trait variable according to Wilkes and Sheely. They propose left handers are a heterogenous group, some having a dominant right hemisphere and others having a dominant left hemisphere. These varying patterns of brain hardware, in interaction with environmental experience in a dominantly right handed culture, are likely to produce differences in the fine structure of movement organization.

When a subject performs a well learned motor act with the less preferred hand, it is unclear whether the reduced proficiency is due to control by a non dominant hemisphere which is somehow less capable or to interference by inappropriate motor commands from the dominant hemisphere from the same Wilkes and Sheely study of finger movements and handedness.

Mohr et al (2003) in their study of right handers and left handers state the strong right hand preference in humans remains a riddle; no lateralized behavior other than fine finger dexterity relates to it. Head turning consistency occurs towards the side with less dopamine asymmetry. Their findings indicate that right handers preferred left sided turning and non right handers preferred right sided turning.

Using the computer workstation with a computer keyboard and keypad on the left or the right will require head turning on each side. Will a dual keyboard and keypad based on dominance require left and right head turning? Yes.

Cui et al (2000) in their study of the cerebellum and how both sides of the human brain are involved in preparation and execution of sequential movements found that the cerebellum is bilaterally recruited for the preparation and execution but activation in the primary motor cortex was restricted to the execution phase and most prominent in the contralateral hemisphere.

Solokin et all (2001) in their study of motor circuits and handedness during finger movements highlight differences in the functional organization of motor areas in right and left handed people. The discrepancies that might reflect differences in the network features of motor system could also determine differences in motor activity that occur during recovery from injury.

In the “Two Mind Theory” in how the brain is organized, visualize the right hemisphere is under left hand control with music, fantasy, art, creativity, genius, perception, emotional expression and a holistic thinking mode. Then for the left hemisphere under right hand control is language, writing, logic, mathematics, science with a linear thinking mode.

Geschwind's many studies were with brain damaged patients. Different parts of the brain take care of initiating fine motor movements and also for gross motor movements. Geschwind's studies related histories of patients that could, on command, stand up, turn around twice and sit down but could not, on command, clench a fist.

Banks et al in their studies at the Vision Science Program, School of Optometry at UC Berkley in 2004 write “when observers were looking to the left, the left eye tended to dominate and when they were looking to the right, the right eye tended to dominate.” They believed “relative image size could also trigger switches in eye dominance” and was their conclusion.

Mapp et al in Perceptual Psychology 2003, Feb. write “What does the dominant eye dominate?” Through their review of past and present studies they “suggest that the sighting-dominant eye is the eye used for monocular tasks and has no unique functional role in vision” which is “defined by such criteria as asymmetry in acuity, rivalry, or sighting”. Another entire book could be written on this subject alone.

The brain organization studies of Hier, LeMay, Rosenberger and Perlo, McRae, Branch and Milner (1978) conclude that handedness and sidedness are apparent in brain scans and show differences

Wilke et al (1979) in their analysis of preferred direction of movements showed that strong right handers tend to move both left and right index fingers in the same direction and familial left handers tend to move them in opposite directions. Their study results indicate that interhemispheric interference in a motor skill consists of activation of inappropriate muscles of the non preferred hand by the dominant ipsilateral (same) hemisphere as its attempts to force that hand to conform to the direction of movement preferred by the dominant hand.

This particular study supports the view of this writer and researcher/inventor why the dual keyboard and keypad based on dominance is needed to decrease the potential hazard of keying tasks by computer workers by the non preferred finger sequencing movement through use of the keypad.

Grafton et al (2002) explained the human right hemisphere is active during execution of contralateral hand movements, and the left hemisphere is engaged for both contra and ipsilateral movements, at least for right handed subjects. Learning with the left hand also recruited a widespread set of temporal and frontal regions suggesting that motor skill learning with the non dominant hand develops within both cognitive and motor related functional networks. In this study using PET scans and the right hands of participants the stimulus sequence and series of response locations remained unchanged, but the finger movements were different.

You will see in this book the Torque Test used by T. Blau and also Franz et al, similar circling tasks used. Franz et al (2003) in their study asking “does handedness determine which hand leads in a bimanual task”. Their study tested on a bimanual circle task that required drawing either in the same direction (parallel) or in a mirror symmetrical coordination mode with the two hands. The pattern of results was similar for left and right handers on parallel tasks, but group differences were found with respect to mirror symmetrical tasks. At odds with the general claim that the dominant hand leads, the present results indicated that hand dominance does not generally determine which hand leads.

Franz (2004) also tested right handers and left handers on a bimanual circling task to examine how attention, either visual or non visual and whether the effects of attention manipulations are similar. The novel prediction that the attended task would be produced larger than unattended task was confirmed in both handedness groups although left handers demonstrated some evidence of stronger parameter coupling between hands than right handers did.

Cattaert et al (1999) in their cross talk model for between the hand interference during bimanual circle drawing found under the asymmetrical mode (both limbs moving clockwise or counterclockwise) increases in movement frequency have a disruptive effect on trajectory control and hand coordination. Their theory proved the motor systems controlling each hand are prone to neural cross talk.

Summers et al (1998) in their study with right handed participants performed bimanual circling movements in either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical coordination mode. The movements were paced with an auditory metronome. Errors on the tone counting task were significantly higher during asymmetrical circling than symmetrical circling but only at the transition movement frequency suggesting results that cognitive processes play a role in maintaining coordination patterns with regions of instability.

Carson et al (1997) in their study of the dynamics of bimanual circle drawing was completed to elucidate the intralimb and interlimb coordination. Subjects were required to produce symmetrical mode or in an asymmetrical mode. As movement differences were patterned with the use of a metronome deviations from the circular trajectories were most prominent for movements of the left hand.

Nalcaci et al (2001) in their study of the relationship between handedness and fine motor performance was to re-investigate the relationship between handedness and asymmetry in hand performance and if there is sex difference in motor asymmetry. In the total sample, the correlation between hand speed and the handedness score indicated that the distribution of hand preference is associated with left hand speed, but not right hand speed. Results also confirmed that right handed females tend to have more asymmetric motor finction than right handed males.

Levy and Gur in their neurological studies looked at individual differences in psychoneurolgical organization and found that, as expected, writing requires access to the language hemisphere. Thus, “the dominant writing hand always appears to be under the control of the language hemisphere. They concluded it would not matter if the control pathways from the language hemisphere lead directly or indirectly to the ipsilateral (same) hand in others, to the contralateral (opposite ) hand.

Noted researcher, Stanley Coren, asks Does Society Make Right Handers? Due to the fact of review of their studies, with less and less numbers of left handers that through the years, culture pressure makes right handers out of left handers. From our culture it is a learned response. Dr. Coren writes when we are talking about handedness and hand control, as many as twenty three brain centers and neural pathways are involved. These include several different movement control systems and position sensing systems that originate in the cerebral cortex.

Geshwind followed through on the research efforts of a group from Johns Hopkins University. They both proved that math geniuses may have a hormonal basis. In a report in Science Magazine (9 Jul. 1982.page 141) proposes there is a link when mathematical genius occurs because mathematical ability is generally thought to be a right brain function. He states that testosterone in fetal life gives the explanation why more boys are left handed than girls. This testosterone can alter brain anatomy so the right hemisphere of the brain becomes dominant for language-related abilities and the person is left handed.

Springer and Deutsche indicate you can teach/educate according to the hemispheres. Their review of boosting right hemisphere thinking or training the right hemisphere is based on the over riding of the dominant right hand, left brain. Our custom of a sequential seeming world education wise would indicate we need development of the right brain.

Nadler Et al (2000) in their study of acquisition of a new motor skill from finger muscles (index and little finger) investigated possible reorganization of central nervous pathways of the non dominant hand. Their findings suggested that learning a new motor skill produces changes which take place predominantly in the cortical pathways of the cutaneomuscular reflex and may be due to changed connectivity within the motor and/or sensory cortex.

Nachshon (1985) is his study of directional preferences may be a fimction of either reading and writing habits, or hemispheric asymmetry, or both. In this study between English readers and Arabic readers, English readers showed left to right preferences.

Singh et al (2000) in their reading/writing vs. handedness with children, both left and right handed with differing reading/writing experiences used a drawing task. Results showed lines drawn from left to right were more accurate.

Ackland and Hendrie (2002), used a computer mouse alternating between the preferred and non preferred hands believing this would be a viable injury prevention strategy within the workplace. They concluded that, three×30 min sessions of training for a period of three weeks was sufficient to improve control of the mouse by the non preferred hand, cause the non preferred hand to reach a level of proficiency equivalent to that of the preferred hand for work related skills and allow a majority of operators to consider alternating mouse activity between the preferred and non preferred hands in a work environment. They further excluded left handers or workers that used two hands for the cursor.

These occupational hazards are found world wide in all kinds of manual jobs. There are no interventions at this time to prevent the primary prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome in a working population. Despite the societal impact of CTS and growing numbers of commercial remedies of alternative keyboard and keypad designs, none have been based on a person's functional dominance.

Ong et al (1995) in their study of occupational disorders and examined the possible causes and suggest preventive strategies as a multidisciplinary approach. This study mentions causes as poor ergonomic design of the workplace and equipment design.

Yu et al (1996) in their study of VDU workers in a Hong Kong bank believe that arm, hand and wrist problems were more affected by repetitive movements and recommend modification of the work station design.

Muggleton et al, (1999) found musculoskeletal disorders are the most common self reported, work related illness in the UK.

Dr. Sharan, an Indian Orthopedic doctor presented his latest research in the the field of Computer Related Injuries (CRI) at the 47 ^(th) Annual Conference in 2002. He “defines CRI as a constellation of work related symptoms in computer users. It is a diffuse disorder of muscle, fascia, tendon and/or neurovascular structures, which typically involve the neck and upper limb”. Dr. Sharon “conducts on site CRI Clinics and ergonomic consulting for Hewlett Packard at Bangalore” whereby he “treated over 250 IT professionals”. “He has successfully treated over 700 CRI and over 700 IT professionals from Compaq, Infosys, IBM, and ISRO have attended his training programs on CRI prevention”.

Pascarelli et al (1993) in their study of soft tissue injuries related to use of the computer keyboard believed that harmful inefficient keyboard styles (intrinsic ergonomic factors) and changes in the workstation (extrensic ergonomic factors) must be addressed and corrected by a combination of factors including technique retraining and education.

This number location of the numerical keypad will be determined through the use of the Grafton Handedness Inventory and finger and hand coordination tests. Following determination of parallel or mirror image of the hands/fingers, education will begin on Training the Non Preferred Hand for a Numerical Input Device.”

By development and training in this system of dual keypadding, a great service would be accomplished providing a dramatic downturn in expenses of medical occupational diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention, is unique in that it allows for different key layouts and device placement based on the users preference to key placement and hand dominance for numerical input into calculators and computers. It can be used as a stand alone input device, or as part of a modular input system allowing placement of keypads with the differing layouts on the right or left of the users keyboard as needed, depending on the users hand dominance and finger directionality. This input device and corresponding key layout can be used for the numerical keypads featured in Windows/MacOS/Linux PC keyboards, as well as adding machines, also referred to as office machines and calculators. The mouse or pointing device can be used on the right side or left side of the computer keyboard for right or left index finger usage.

The method used for proper selection of devices comprise a test for determining hand dominance and then a directionality test for the left hand and fmgers and then to select the proper device based on determination of dominance leading to the 14 step training of the left hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION/DRAWING

Standard computer keyboard, page 1

Computer Keyboard /Keypad numerical keypads, Standard layout FIG. 1 left to right direction. FIG. 2. input device, mirrored layout, right to left, page 2

Numerical Input Devices for the left hand users, FIG. 1, parallel direction, FIG. 2. mirror direction. page 3

Standard keyboard/keypad FIG. 1. FIG. 2 mirror layout left hand side. FIG. 3 parallel layout left hand side. page 4

Office machines, FIG. 1 regular keyboard/calculator, standard layout. FIG. 2 mirrored layout example, page 5

Mouse or Pointing Device, FIG. 1. standard left clicker. FIG. 2 non standard. Right clicker. page 6

Drawing of the hand, anatomy, page 7

Drawing of the brain and handedness crossover, page 8

Coordination exercise, page 9

Grafton Handedness Inventory, page 1 of 4 pages, page 10

Eye dominance test, page 2 of 4 pages, page 11

Evaluation test, page 3 of 4 pages, page 12

Evaluation, page 4 of 4 pages, page 13

Handwriting test, students shown taking the test. page 1 of 6 pages, page 14

Handwriting test, instructions. page 2 of 6 pages, page 15

Handwriting test result, mirror image example. page 3 of 6 pages, page 16

Handwriting test result, mirror image example. page 4 of 6pages, page 17

Handwriting test result, parallel example. page 5 of 6 pages, page 18

Handwriting test result, parallel example. page 6 of 6 pages, page 19

Finger circling test, at the start of the test. page 1 of 5 pages, page 20

Finger circling test result, parallel direction both fingers right to left direction . 2 of 5 pages, page 21

Finger circling test result. Parallel direction both fingers left to right direction. 3 of 5 pages, page 22

Finger circling test result, mirror starting upward direction right index finger (clockwise) and index finger upward (counter clockwise) . 4 of 5 pages, page 23

Finger circling test result, mirror starting under direction right index finger (clockwise) and left index finger under direction (counter clockwise) . 5 of 5 pages, page 24

Testing Results, showing form to be completed by the student 1. Dominance 2. Handwriting. 3. Finger circling 4. Devices to be purchased based on dominance (keypad, calculator, mouse or pointing device) page 25

Testing results, showing completion of form, right handed, mirrored individual with handwriting and finger circling and devices needed for work station to use dual system of keyboarding, page 26

Test results, showing completion of form, mixed handed, parallel individual with handwriting and finger circling and devices needed for work station to use dual system of keyboarding, page 27

CD enclosed: When Left is right: Keyboarding for Success and Training Program with 14 steps for learning how to train the left hand for computer keyboarding (dexterity training). Page 28

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The numerical keypads have long term and short term goals. The injured workers short term goal who is unable to use or limit or not use their right hand at work due to carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury of the dominant hand would be trained to use an added stand alone keypad /calculator office or business machines with the left hand a dual keyboard/keypad. This system would be set up using the software and hardware with the operating system of the company at their expense.

The long term solution for carpal tunnel syndrome is to use a dual keypad/computer keyboard when learning to use the computer in schools, classes or universities. This system and prototype would be set up with the software and hardware and operating system of the school or university working with their computer provider.

The invention is intended for the data input of numerical data that would normally involve the use of a standard numerical keypad. It will make use of numerical input key layouts. The invention allows for the user to use a numerical kepad/input device based on their hand dominance. Input devices used with PCs based on this invention should utilize USB connection technology and standard drivers for use with Windows, MacOS and Linux based PCs.

For the basic use of this concept, no special software should be required, however, special software could be used to aid in the training in the use of these input devices. Keypad placement (left or right of user) and key layout (Standard layout or the mirrored layout as seen in the drawings should be able to be changed by the user with ease based on which hand they are more efficient with depending on the task at hand. This invention aims to make these layouts accessible to users to learn and use to reduce RSI that would otherwise occur.

-   -   A. A right hand user may prefer to use a mouse or other pointing         device with their right hand while entering numerical data with         their left. Depending on their hand dominance and other factors,         they may be more efficient and incur less stress while         performing the data input with the different key layout offered         with this invention.     -   B. A left handed user may prefer to use a mouse or other         pointing device in their left hand, while entering data with         their right hand. Or, they may prefer to enter data with their         left hand. A left hand dominant user may prefer the standard key         layout on the left side, or the mirrored layout on the right.     -   C. In the case of adding machines, also referred to as office         machines, or tape calculators, a left handed user may prefer the         new keypad layout in this invention, which mirrors the typical         layout found in most calculators.

Written instructions by CD are included in this invention and application. This application explains differences in the human factors for computer keyboard and numerical pad and office machines users. The entire book When Left is Right: Keyboarding for Success is included in the CD.

This invention is based on hand and brain dominance of the users. The set ups for right handed and left handed users of computers with numerical keyboard set ups must be different due to brain organization of computer users.

Some keyboard users have developed muscle and tendon diseases due to a medical condition and some to work related overuse or repetition. Frequently this places the computer user out of work whether work related or the recreational at home computer user. “Companies that invest consistently in safety realize positive bottom line results, reduced absenteeism, lower turnover rates, higher productivity, increased employee morale and a positive brand image”, according to the FARA Expert Times, April 2004 issue.

The majority of the population world wide are right handed; 10 to 20% are percentages often used in studies of left handedness. The right hand is used for the regular numerical keyboard on computers or for business machines.

Often during treatment by their physician, work limitations will be given i. e. no use of right arm or right hand and wrist. These computer users are often out of work as their employers cannot provide another system or adaptation of the numerical keyboard as a part of their work limitations. By providing in house training with the When Left is Right system is used, the injured worker may continue at work by training the left hand for numerical data entry.

The keypads for both right and left numerical data systems should have a selection of clock wise or counter clock wise setup either as a part of the keyboard or other design of the keyboard. The usual and customary set up of numbers on the right side of the keypad are 1, 2, 3 going from left to right. Programmable keypads are suited for the left side of the computer keyboard, keypad.

The stand alone numerical keypad added to the left side of the keyboard will be used as a substitute for the keypad already in place for the injured worker to use as the alternative to the right side keypad until such time as the worker is able to use either hand. This stand alone keypad is added with either a USB port or PC software program. Too, this keypad and numbers would be set up either on a left to right basis or a right to left basis, dependent upon their hand and brain dominance. By using a lengthening provided by a sliding tray, stability will be maintained on the left side just as the right side.

There are several dominance tests for brain and hand dominance. Educational systems (inventories, tests) have been developed by scientists, psychologists and others interested in working with the gifted to the disabled to assist with the coordination of hand and finger movement. But, the trial and error method may also be used to select how the numbers are set up. But this is expensive and wasteful as what you initially buy may not fit the person. One must look beyond what will fit your computer and hardware but at your human user factors when purchasing input devices and keyboards. A programmable keypad can be instrumental in increasing productivity, saving your hands, saving your money and perhaps saving your job. When selecting between all available programmable keypads, keep in mind and review which type will fit your PC machine. Also you need to review any requirement of certain software applications needed to function but these should come with the keypad in the form of downloaded through the company's website.

IBM Received many complaints about their first keyboard design and through the years several improvements have been made. The biggest concern at this time and remains unaddressed by any company known is why the right side of the keyboard is so overloaded. Some companies have addressed this with a left handers keyboard whereby the right keypad was moved to the left. This same company now has addressed the left handers difficulty in design by making a mirror image design on the left sided keypad. Most keyboards whether they are included in new PC's, sold separately, are some variation of the 104-key Windows keyboard layout. Some keyboards have Windows support built in.

The computer keyboard has three key physical groups with the numeric keypad placed on the right. Extra numeric keypads have been added to some keyboards. In these enhanced computer keyboards created by IBM, the cursor controls are available using the numeric keypad. There has been art deficiency and many opportunities for improvement but difficulties experienced by the users, both in regular keyboarding but also in numerical keypads over the last two decades. There remains much improvement to be made. The standard or regular keyboard has not changed since the mouse introduction. How to manipulate the keyboard, the mouse and the numerical keypad on the right is an overloaded or non symetric system for right handed users. Even the left hander must use the right handed keyboard. Not only do the users right hand move back and forth between the mouse and the keyboard but how to use the numerical keypad and mouse by the right hander at the same time.

The Numeric Keypad was designed for data entry numerically. Common elements are found with the standard desktop calculator with several software applications that are similar to a desktop calculator.

The present invention is directed to a hand dominated computer keyboard and the keyboard cluster numbers location based on the users hand dominance with a video presentation for Safety and Health Officers to reduce their employees related hand and arm injuries from worker overuse and employer abuse and poor design by computer keyboard makers. New learning will be required of those injured workers with adaptation of using alternative ergonomic keyboards and keypads.

Companies like banks, financial institutions, credit card companies, health care and insurance companies are large users of computer keyboards and keypads. Many of these companies have two to three shifts of workers to accomplish their production guidelines. As a result of this, there may be negligent liability from the design of the computer and keyboard but also liability with failure to warn on the part of the employers with large numbers of employees with these types of complaints, lost time, lost wages and some lost jobs by using the overloaded right side of keyboards. The computer industry is rapidly developing changes for keyboard users.

OSHA “estimates that work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the US account for over 600,000 injuries and illnesses that are serious enough to result in days away from work (34 percent of all lost workday injuries report the BLS).” “It is estimated that employers spend as much as $15-18 billion a year on direct costs” for these types of injuries from the website of OSHA.

There are keyboard users that have developed both right and left handed injuries and are unable to use their hands and arms. Voice recognition systems have been developed, but these are very slow systems. Too, foot pedal systems have been developed to accomplish the same for these keyboard users with both hand injuries.

For those injured workers with mouse connected injuries, the roller ball mouse was developed. In this past year, a company developed a keyboard for left handers with several variations for both PC and Mac users, developers in keyboard design know we have a problem. Numerical pad developments are also being made but these are not of the likeness of the original keyboard and new learning will be required to operate those.

Many left handers have been taught to use the basic keyboard with the numerical portion on the right not the left. So there is a need to use and develop this system of keyboard design and educational efforts to support this concept for dexterity.

Another system for the new learner in colleges, universities or other business schools would use the dual keyboard with the standard typing portion the same but with two numerical pads, one on each side. The new learner would learn at the onset of keyboard use the problem of overuse and repetition and this

DRAWINGS

Page 1, Computer keyboard keypad, Standard layout

Page 2. Computer keyboard/keypad, FIG. 1 standard layout, FIG. 2, input device, mirrored layout

Page 3. Numerical input devices for the left hand users based on dominance. FIG. 1, parallel. FIG. 2. Mirrored layout.

Page 4 Standard Keyboard FIG. 1. FIG. 2 Dual keypad mirrored layout. FIG. 3. Dual keypad parallel layout

Page 5 Office Machines, FIG. 1. Calculator, standard layout. FIG. 2. Calculator, mirrored layout

Page 6 Mouse/Pointing device. FIG. 1 left clicker. FIG. 2, right clicker

Page 7. Carpal Tunnel Anatomy

Page 8. Diagram of handedness crossover

Page 9. Coordination Exercise

Page 10. Grafton Handedness Inventory, 1 of 4 pages

Page 11 Eye Dominance test, 2 of 4 pages

Page 12. Evaluation Instructions, 3 of 4 pages

Page 13. Evaluation, 4 of 4 pages

Page 14. Handwriting Preparation. 1 of 6 pages

Page 15. Handwriting Test, 2 of 6 pages

Page 16. Handwriting result. Mirror image example, 3 of 6 pages

Page 17. Handwriting result. Mirror image example, 4 of 6 pages

Page 18. Handwriting result. Parallel example, 5 of 6 pages

Page 19. Handwriting result. Parallel example, 6 of 6 pages

Page 20. Finger Circling, 1 of 5 pages

Page 21. Finger circling result, parallel example. 2 of 5 pages

Page 22. Finger circling result, parallel example. 3 of 5 pages

Page 23. Finger circling result, mirrored example, 4 of 5 pages

Page 24. Finger circling result, mirrored example, 5 of 5 pages

Page 25. Testing Results

Page 26. Testing results example, mirrored.

Page 27. Testing results example, parallel

Page 28 CD Copy 1 and Copy 2 with Directory Listing for each copy. Training and Education, Book, When Left is Right: Keyboarding for Success Would relieve the situation in the years ahead for OSHA, BLS and industry in general:

By explanation in the drawings showing the standard computer keyboard, mirrored and parallel number directionality in both input devices of keypads and calculators, standard and non standard mouse and pointing devices with clickers for the right and left hand index fingers, dual numerical keyboard/keypad set ups for improved productivity, rearrangement of the computer workstation, anatomy of the hand, brain and handedness crossover, this program should be developed to use in training programs at universities or schools for computer users in their initial learning experience and to become not only dual handed in alphabetical computer use but for this invention, dual handed for numerical keypad use and stand alone numerical office machine (calculator) based on user dominance and the mouse preference for the right or left hand side of the computer keyboard. Through coordination education, completion of the handedness inventory, handwriting test and finger circling test, the results shown explain the human differences in laterality when using the hands at the computer workstation. The training CD with 14 steps are included for dexterity training and device selection. 

1. A method for the selection of a device comprising: a/ prepare a test for determining hand dominance and finger directionality; b/ administer the handedness and finger directionality test; c/ determine hand and finger directionality based on test results; and d/ select devices based on determination of hand dominance and finger directionality.
 2. The method claim 1 wherein said device is a keyboard
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said device is a numerical data input device.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said device is a calculator.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said device is a ten key calculator.
 6. The method of claim 1 where in said device is a mouse/pointing device
 7. A method for the selection of a keyboard comprising: a/ prepare a test for determining hand dominance and finger directionality; b/ administer the test to a keyboard user; c/ determine hand dominance and finger directionality based on test results; d/ select a keyboard based on determination of dominance and directionality.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said keyboard is a numerical data input device.
 9. The method claim 8 wherein said keyboard is a calculator.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein said keyboard is a ten key calculator.
 11. The method claim 7 wherein said device is a calculator.
 12. The method claim 7 where in said device is a mouse/pointing device. 